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Fine Gael backs Kenny despite media gaffes

Fine Gael TDs are standing by their leader, despite Enda Kenny's two disastrous media performances in the past fortnight. Of 20 Fine Gael deputies contacted by The Sunday Times last week, only one expressed a negative opinion.

The TDs denied there was growing panic in Fine Gael over Kenny's gaffe-prone public appearances, and an uneasiness about the recent revival of support for Fianna Fail.

"There may be a small number of people in the party who are critical of Enda for whatever reason, but the vast majority are smart enough to recognise that he will have ups and downs, and that this is a marathon, not a sprint," said Simon Coveney, a Cork TD. "There's no need to get frustrated over a Late Late [Show] interview."

Kenny's poor show on The Late Late last month was acknowledged in the party as damaging, particularly over his unclear reasoning as to why